The Gujarat State Election Commission has declared the results of the local body by-elections, held on Sunday. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has emerged as the dominant force, securing victory in 21 out of the 30 contested seats. This notable achievement spans across 21 municipalities and includes one seat within the Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC).
The Gujarat State Election Commission has declared the results of the local body by-elections, which took place on Sunday. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) emerged victorious in 21 out of the 30 contested seats, encompassing 21 municipalities and one seat in the Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC). The Congress secured eight seats, while an independent candidate secured one seat.
Among the municipalities that underwent bypolls were Mahuva and Palitana in Bhavnagar, Jambusar and Amod in Bharuch, Rajpipla in Narmada, Deesa and Palanpur in Banaskantha, Dhrangadhra in Surendranagar, Bareja in Ahmedabad, Modasa in Aravalli, Anand, Porbandar-Chhaya in Porbandar, Sidhpur in Patan, Unjha in Mehsana, Thasra in Kheda, Mundra in Kutch, Talala in Gir-Somnath, and Godhra in Panchmahal.
The Congress secured victories in Anand, Modasa, Deesa, Palanpur, Jambusar, and Palitana nagarpalikas. An independent candidate won in Amod, who was reportedly supported by the Congress.
The remaining seats, including the SMC seat, were won by the BJP. The bypolls were necessitated due to reasons like resignation, death, or disqualification under the anti-defection law of the respective elected candidates.
While the municipalities witnessed a voter turnout of 46.22 percent, the SMC seat (Ward No. 20) recorded a lower turnout at 24.17 percent. The key contenders here were Rajesh Rana from the BJP, Shailesh Rayka from the Congress, and Mukesh Pasiyawala from AAP. Rana secured victory with 14,761 votes against Rayka’s 8,268 and Pasiyawala’s 2,047.
Nirajan Janjmera, Surat city BJP president, attributed the victory to the public’s appreciation for the BJP’s work. Gujarat BJP general secretary Rajni Patel highlighted the party’s triumph in seats previously under Congress control.
The Congress pointed out that their gains reflected dissatisfaction with inflation, unemployment, and corruption under the ruling BJP. Despite being local elections, Bimal Shah from Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee noted the significance of these results as a signal of public sentiment.
Shah emphasized how the Congress reclaimed seats from the BJP in various municipalities, suggesting a shift in voter support. However, the Congress lost a couple of seats by narrow margins in Thasra and Mundra.
